Common Symbols Found in 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th Century Burial Grounds and Monuments

A

Anchor - Christian symbol of hope, strong faith, steadfastness

Angels - Symbolic messengers between God and manAlpha and Omega - The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, symbolizing Jesus Christ, the
beginning and the endingArrows - Darts, of death, mortality

BBible - Religious faithBirds - The soul, flight of the soulBones/Crossed Bones - Death, mortality, finalityBook - An open book usually represents the Bible, faith: several books in a pile used most often to
denote knowledge, academic lifeBroken branch, Tree, Column, or Cross - A life cut short; death; mourningButterfly - Resurrection; rebirth; natural cycle of birth and death

CCandle - Human life, spiritual life, time; the candle flame is often seen as the breath of life and when
snuffed, the act of dying, deathChalice - ChristChi Rho/Chrisma - XP, the first two letters of the Greek word XPICTOC, meaning ChristCircle - Ne beginning, neo end; eternity; resurrectionClock - Passage of time, mortalityClouds - Divine abode; with hand emerging from clouds, the hand of GodCoffin - Symbol of death, mortality, finalityCompass and Square - Fraternal emblem of Ancient Free and Accepted MasonsCross - Religious faith; resurrectionCross with Crown - Sovereignty of the Lord; triumph over death; Christian faith; used in emblems of
several fraternal ordersCrown - Triumph over death; the crown of immortality is the reward of faithful Christians;
righteousness, resurrection

EEagle - Christian symbol of resurrection; winged eagle = St. John the Evangelist (winged man = St.
Matthew; winged lion = St. Mark; winged ox = St. Luke)Egg/Dart - Symbolic of life (egg) and death (dart); rebirth; resurrectionExedra - A seat or bench, often used as a memorial

GGates - Portals to the Promised Land; entry into the kingdom of heavenGeometric Designs - Pinwheels, rosettes, or concentric circles disks were often used as artistic space
fillers, often with little apparent symbolic intentGourd - Like the pomegranate, a symbol of life, renewal; with its many seeds gathered in a protective
skin, the pomegranate is also sometimes compared to Christ’s churchGrapes, Grapevines - Christ, the spiritual sustenance of the church; the promise of abundance in the
life

HHandclasp - Parting, farewell; friendship/brotherhood; fraternal bondHarp/Lyre - Heavenly music; music; the arts in generalHeart - Life; loveHorn/Trumpet - The voice of god; call to the Last JudgmentHourglass - Death, the end of time on earth (and whenHourglass Turned Over - Symbol of rebirth, the new beginning, resurrectionHourglass Winged - Message on man’s fleeting time on earth, the uncertainty of our mortal future;
also a symbol of temperance

LLamb - Innocence of a child; a Lamb of God; when combined with a lion, the lamb is a symbol of
JudaismLily - Purity, innocence, love, the Archangel Gabriel is often depicted holding a lily; marriageLily of the Valley - The Advent of Christ; reawakening; purity and humilityLotus/Water Lily - Source of life; birth/rebirth

MMoon - Rebirth, afterlife; sun, moon and stars are seen together as heavenly bodiesMorning Glory - Symbolic of youth, bonds of love; associated with the death of a child

OOak - Strength, steadfastness, honor; strong faith; often seen on the grave markers of men

SScroll - Decorative way of presenting inscription or Bible referenceScythe - Used to cut down or reap; tool of the grim reaper, deathShell - A journey, particularly a pilgrim’s journey (St. James); Christian’s faithSkeleton - Symbol of death, reminder that all must dieSkull - Symbol of death, mortalitySnake - The snake is often associated with death, but a snake with its tail in its mouth (uroborus) is a
symbol of eternityStar - Divine guidance; birth/deathStar of David - Jewish symbol of divine protectionSun - Life, life cycle; sun; moon and stars are seen tighter as heavenly bodiesSward - Military involvement; also as part of coat of arms

TTipped Basket – End of lifeThistle – Emblem of Scotland, Scottish heritageTorch – Life
TorchTurned Down - Represents the extinguishing of life, deathTree, Tree Benches – LifeTree Truck – A life that has been cut offTrefoil – Symbol of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) surrounded by the Circle of EternityTulip – Life